What is involved in Living as a Believer in Christ?

Baptism is always required as a act of obedience necessary for salvation:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

“When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:5).

A New Life in Christ involves paying attention to His instructions

“You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14).

Christ’s commands are a code of personal conduct testing our obedience, developing our character and prompting the virtues required by God. All aspects of life are involved: our thoughts and actions in private or in public, how we treat other people, how we value God’s Word. Much self-discipline is needed.

“Everyone who enters an athletic contest practises self-control in everything. They do it to win a wreath that dies, but we to win one that never dies. That is the way I run, with a clear goal in mind. That is the way I box, not like someone punching the air. No, I keep on beating my body and making it my slave so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

Our sins can be forgiven if we confess and forsake them

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us continue to hold on to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. So let us keep on coming with boldness to the throne of grace, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Believers meet together often for worship and mutual encouragement

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

“And giving thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supping, saying, “This cup is the New Covenant in my blood; as often as you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.” For “as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show” the Lord’s death until he shall come” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).

Believers maintain contact with God by daily reading and prayer

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

“O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97).

“And that from a child you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).

Believers have to read the Bible with the care and attention it deserves

So many human ideas, particularly from Greek philosophy, have been joined on to Bible teaching that diligent care must be taken to read and understand for ourselves the message of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Be like the people at Berea:

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).